Steve Harper feels his season with Newcastle United is only just beginning – despite the impending return of Dutch international Tim Krul

Steve Harper feels his season with Newcastle United is only just beginning – despite the impending return of Dutch international Tim Krul.

The long-serving stopper is standing by for the Tyne-Wear derby, but Krul is close to a return to action after sustaining an elbow injury on international duty earlier in the season.

However, this will in no way spell the end for Harper with a Europa League clash against Club Brugge just days after the derby tussle at the Stadium of Light.

United may also have Rob Elliot back in the frame for the encounter with Georges Leekens’ troops on Tyneside – in a game in which three points will put them close to sealing qualification from the group after three games.

Harper told the Chronicle: “Tim’s comeback’s not too far away, but we do have a lot of games coming up.

“We have Robbie here too pushing for a place. He has made big strides forward in this last month or two.

“Those performances will do him the world of good.”

Alan Pardew has already expressed his concerns over the packed European schedule and the experienced Harper is the perfect figure to slot in for the Magpies as they look to book their place in the knockout stages.

Pardew could even be in a position to have three keepers to choose from for the tie with Belgian outfit at St James’ Park. Harper has made six appearances this season and has been at United since 1992 after arriving as a fresh faced youngster from Easington.

At 37 there is not much he has not experienced at St James’ Park and, as he approaches 200 appearances for the Magpies, he joked: “I would like to get to 300, but I cannot see it happening at my age, but 200 would be nice.

“That is a landmark I would like to get to.

“We’ve got a long season ahead of us and we know there are plenty of games ahead.”

Harper was on loan this time last year at Brighton and Hove Albion with many Newcastle fans wondering if they had seen the last of their local hero.

However, Pardew cannily saw the value of what the Open University graduate brings to the table at the club’s Benton base and, with Elliot and youngster Jak Alnwick all learning their trade, as well as Krul admitting he can still benefit from training with Harper, the move has been a managerial masterstroke by the LMA and Premier League manager of the year.

Harper, himself already studying for his UEFA coaching qualifications and coaching youngsters at Red House Farm, is enjoying what seems like an Indian summer in his playing career.

Toon cult hero Kevin Carr stated in last night’s Chronicle that Harper only needs to look to the likes of Brad Friedel and David James to see that a career beyond 37 could yet lie in wait.

Harper, for now, is enjoying the day-to-day involvement at Newcastle and working with former Charlton Athletic goalkeeping guru Andy Woodman.

The man who started his career at Seaham Red Star says: “It feels good.

“I have said it before, Woody’s calling me ‘Cocoon’ and I am enjoying it.

“Last year, my knee was not good – I was lucky if I could train twice a week.”

Yet things have changed for the better for reborn Harper in the last few months.

The Easington-born shotstopper added: “In three months this season, I have missed just two days’ training and been involved in every first-team game. Long may it continue!”

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